Producer's Notes: Beneath the Scenes

Typically a "Behind the Scenes" write-up involves an explanation of some of the interesting "goings-on" of a production off-screen, such as its technical feats (and snafus!)

But for this show, "Nature's Healing Power," my thoughts could easily be called 'Beneath the Scenes." You see, many of the participants in the program were seriously ill when we filmed. Indeed, two have passed away. So beneath what you see on the screen are deep emotions, both those of the participants, and of me.

I've tried to show some of that, but 25 minutes can't possibly do justice to the courageous people I met. So it was with a very heavy heart that I had to leave some wonderful individuals out of the program, simply due to time. How I wish they could have been included.

The genesis of this program was the calm but determined insistence by Dr. Dick Wilson of Boise that Reel Recovery, a program he brought to Idaho in 2010, was worthy of an Outdoor Idaho piece. The nonprofit, part of a national group, matches men who have cancer with fly fishing buddies for two weekend retreats at a ranch near Mackay, ID.

Reel Recovery participant Marc Foss with his buddy, Mark Stevens

Dick worked on Executive Producer Bruce Reichert for a while, and then somehow his material made it to me. Perhaps it's because I gravitate towards these kinds of stories. One of my favorite Outdoor Idaho documentaries was a program I produced on Camp Rainbow Gold, a camp for children with cancer.

But I was drawn to Reel Recovery for another reason. It turned out that one of the articles in the packet quoted a friend of mine from 20 years ago who had been a participant in 2010. Ironically, I had just learned that he had passed away. So I read with great interest what he had to say about the program.

Therapy Group

The therapeutic aspect of it--the bonding with other men who had cancer in "courageous conversations"-- seemed to have given him great solace. That comforted me, because I had learned of his death too late to have been of help.

I met with Dick and asked if we'd be able to film the conversations. He couldn't have been more open about it. We did some advance work to make sure that the men were O.K. with us being there, and upon arrival, they were all welcoming, despite their great challenges.

To my surprise, I knew someone on the list, Paul Franklin (no relation). His business was the longtime videotape vendor for Idaho Public Television, as well our duplicating house. Paul was gravely ill with a brain tumor when he came to Reel Recovery, and would pass away in February, 2013. But he inspired everyone with his great cheer.

"When I wake up in the morning, I'm asked a question," he told the men. "Is it going to be a good day or a bad day? And I always answer, 'It's going to be a great day.'"

Every man I met in the group affected me in some way. Some of them were in physical pain, and all were struggling emotionally at times. Yet it was one of those rare shoots where everyone was generous of spirit with the camera. I ended up spending even more time with some of the men because I brought along a small camera and did some filming with them in the water as they fished. That was a blast.

There are three other pieces in the program, each with equally wonderful people. I'll be talking about them in another essay.

But I wanted to give credit for the inception of the show where credit is due -- to Dr. Dick Wilson -- and extend my deepest thanks to the men of Reel Recovery, who allowed me and videographers Hank Nystrom and John Romlein to spend two days with them as they went beneath the surface to talk about one of the most difficult, and yet revelatory, times of their lives. As the group's motto goes, "Be Well, Fish On!"